The great question every patient wants to know the answer to. Which do you do first, do you brush or floss first? According to the ADA and a new blog article written in the New York Times Online, it is recommended that you floss first and then brush. Why is this? It has more to do with habit than the science behind it. People are more likely to remember to floss if they floss before they brush. Read more at: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/29/ask-well-floss-or-brush-first/?_r=0

We all know milk is good for you but we never understood how we figured this one out. Consumption of milk goes back about 5,000 years. How did we find out people in the past drank milk? Scientist tested their dental calculus (tartar build up) for a protein that is present in milk called beta-lactoglobulin. Interesting to see how scientist can use dental tartar to understand the past. Today we understand milk is good for strong bones and great for calcium. Keep drinking that milk!

Oil pulling has been in the news on and off. Does oil pulling really work? Oil pulling is done using edible oil and swishing it in the mouth for 1 to 5 minutes and up to 20 minutes or longer.

Is oil pulling good for your mouth?

According to the ADA mouth healthy website, there are no reliable scientific studies to show that oil pulling reduces cavities, whitens teeth or improves oral health and well-being. Based on the lack of scientific evidence, the American Dental Association does not recommend oil pulling as a dental hygiene practice. The ADA continues to recommend that to maintain good dental health you brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and floss between your teeth once a day and don’t use tobacco.

Dental decay occurs when the bacteria in the plaque on your teeth, creates acids and breaks down the enamel, the hard outer shell of the tooth. Decay can be prevented in several ways. The American Dental Association recommends the following to prevent dental decay:

Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.

Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaner.

Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking.

Check with your dentist about the use of supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth, and about use of dental sealants (a plastic protective coating) applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (where decay often starts) to protect them from decay.

Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral examination

Did you know that June is National Smile Month? In the spirit of National Smile Month, we thought we would provide our readers with a few basic steps you can do at home to keep those pearly whites in healthy condition between your visits to the dental office.

Brush at least twice a day and rinse after sugary snacks

Purchase a toothpaste with a fluoride component

Floss daily

Try to replace sugary drinks with water (add a lemon for added taste)

Schedule regular visits to your dentist (every 6 months!)

If you have not scheduled your next dental cleaning, call your dental office and do it now! Lastly, don’t forget to smile!